Boy Scout with Down syndrome attains Eagle rank

A new Rancho Bernardo Eagle Scout has overcome more challenges than the typical Eagle because he also has Down syndrome.

Elliott Marshall Hodgson of Rancho Bernardo Troop 686 received Boy Scouting’s highest award during his Court of Honor on June 13 in the Eastview Community Center. It is a goal Hodgson reportedly set for himself shortly after joining a troop in 2010 when his family lived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The son of Bill and Maggie Hodgson was among the Iowa troop’s founding members. His mother said it was unique in that all the troop members had special needs. Therefore, each boy worked on merit badges to the best of his abilities, and modifications were made as necessary on a case-by-case basis.

Before the family moved to California in October 2013, Hodgson had reached the level of Life Scout and completed his Eagle project, which was to build two round picnic tables for St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, which his family attended in Iowa. Church officials suggested the project since they wanted a place for people in the neighborhood to gather while drinking free lemonade and visiting on summer weekends. The program was part of the church’s community outreach.

Maggie Hodgson said Boy Scouts of America has a modified version of its Eagle Scout requirements so members like her son can also attain the award. This includes waiving the requirement that it must be earned before turning 18 years old.

“Elliott — not his parents — had the dream of attaining Eagle pretty early in his scouting experience,” his mother said. “He never lost sight of that dream, and is extremely proud to be an Eagle Scout.”

During his five years in Boy Scouts, Hodgson has earned 32 merit badges (the minimum to become an Eagle is 21), with his favorites being the badges for hiking, swimming and camping. He also earned the Order of the Arrow.

On June 10 he graduated from Abraxas High School’s Transition Program, which helps 18- to 22-year-olds with disabilities prepare for life after high school. Now, Hodgson is starting a program through Goodwill that gets him out into the community plus provides him paid employment at one of its stores.

As for other activities, he recently became vice president of the newly-formed Abraxas Aktion Club of Poway, which is based out of Abraxas High School and sponsored by the Poway Kiwanis Club. Aktion is a service club for adults with disabilities. His other activities include karate, line dancing, swimming, bowling, soccer and basketball. He attends The Church at Rancho Bernardo.

As for Hodgson’s favorite Boy Scout memories, they include the weeks he spent at Boy Scout camp in Iowa, which he attended every summer for four years and where he also volunteered as a counselor in training. Also memorable was a high adventure to Mount Rushmore, where his troop participated in the flag lowering ceremony and slept under the stars in the Badlands.